What instrument is most needed for live band situations? The following observations are based on incoming gigs we have received over the past FIVE decades. For a long time the answer was: Keyboards. For many years most bands couldn’t find work unless they had a keyboard player. This always seemed strange to me because during my youth there were more kids taking lessons on piano than on any other instrument.
We saw this lack of keyboardists mostly in the 70’s and 80’s, primarily in cover bands. Bassists were usually the second most in demand, especially for original acts. What changed in the 90’s and up to today? Currently we receive about the SAME amount of requests for guitar, bass, drums, keys, and front vocalists.
Everyone assumes that guitarists are the most plentiful, but the answer is: Drummers. It’s been this way since we started. Why are there always more drummers? Your guess is as good as mine! Available guitarists always place second in number behind drummers, then followed by bass, keys, and lead singers, all about even.
Of course there are many less horn players and miscellaneous instruments, but the positive thing for these musicians is that there’s a lot less competition when a gig rolls in!
Many groups today say they can’t find a SINGER. I hear this all the time: “All we need is a vocalist and we could be working”. And singers, unlike other musicians, many times are not required to own their equipment – so where are they all hiding?
Keep it rockin’, everyone……..
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Musicians Contact Answers: What Instrument is Most in Demand?
